Vance declares U.S. will pursue Iran nuclear deal with or without Israel's approval
By isabelle // 2026-06-09
Copy
 
  • Trump administration shifts strategy to pursue nuclear deal with Iran regardless of Israeli approval
  • Vice President Vance confirms U.S. will prioritize national interest over Israeli objections in negotiations
  • Trump predicts final deal could be reached within two to three days
  • Conflict escalated with Iran missile strikes and U.S.-Israeli retaliation before both sides held fire
  • White House seeks agreement with rigorous inspections, contrasting with 2015 Iran deal
The relationship between the United States and Israel appears to be shifting dramatically as Vice President JD Vance confirmed the Trump administration will pursue a nuclear agreement with Iran regardless of whether Israel approves. The statement marks a significant departure from earlier dynamics in the Middle East conflict, where Washington had largely aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline posture against Tehran. Vance made the remarks during a Fox News interview, asserting that the administration believes it can secure a long-term settlement addressing Iran's nuclear program. "Now, Israel may like that, they may not like that," Vance stated. "But fundamentally, we think this is in the best interest of the United States of America." The vice president added that the White House has "created the space necessary" for an agreement over the past year and a half. President Donald Trump echoed this optimistic outlook, telling reporters that "we're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal." Trump predicted the agreement could be finalized within "two or three days." These comments come after a phone call between Trump and Netanyahu amid renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran that threatened to derail ongoing negotiations. The latest round of violence began Sunday night when Iran launched a missile barrage toward northern Israel after Israel bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut, despite an existing ceasefire agreement. Israel responded with multiple waves of airstrikes against Iranian targets, and Tehran retaliated with additional missile launches. Both sides have since announced they would hold their fire.

A divide over war aims

Vance acknowledged that while the U.S. and Israel share many interests, there are situations where those interests diverge. "I think where the president has been very clear here is that while Israel obviously has some objectives that it has, the United States' main objective in Iran is to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon," Vance explained. The vice president contrasted the emerging deal with the 2015 agreement reached during the Obama administration, which Trump withdrew from in 2018. Vance argued the current accord would correct what he called the absence of a rigorous inspections framework in the previous deal — one he said failed to guarantee Iran could never build a nuclear weapon. "That is one of the big differences between what happened then and what the president of the United States would get to," Vance added. Trump publicly called on Israel not to respond to the Iranian missile attack Sunday night. Netanyahu reportedly called off a major strike on Iran after Trump warned that Israel would be alone in the battle if it proceeded. Asked whether Netanyahu defied him, Trump told the BBC: "No, no. That's not what happened."

Iran appears ready to negotiate

According to Vance, the Iranians "don't want this war to continue, it's not in their best interest, and I think they are coming to the table and putting some things on the table." The conflict escalated significantly on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes aimed at dismantling Iran's missile capabilities and nuclear infrastructure. Iran responded with strikes across the region and shut down the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, a waterway that handles roughly a fifth of global oil traffic in normal times. A temporary truce was reached April 8, but subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough. Vance called the potential agreement a "home run win for the American people." He acknowledged that trust cannot be the foundation of any deal, stating: "We're going to take the attitude of: 'Accomplish the president's mission, but verify over the long term that the Iranians are keeping their end of the bargain.'" The White House's position represents a strategic shift from earlier warnings of unconditional surrender directed at Tehran. Whether this diplomatic opening can overcome the entrenched hostilities remains uncertain, but the administration appears determined to pursue a negotiated settlement. War-weary Americans watching these developments unfold may find some reassurance in knowing their leaders are pursuing a path toward peace rather than permanent conflict. The coming days will reveal whether diplomacy can prevail where military action has only deepened the wounds. Sources for this article include: SputnikGlobe.com MiddleEastEye.net TimesOfIsrael.com AA.com.tr
Copy